On the second floor of the underground parking lot. In an obviously newly made room made from the same cement keeping the whole building together.
Elyas was laying on a white bed. He wasn't alone, surrounding him were dozens of dirty blue curtains, hiding another bed just like him.
The building's electricity was not supplied by generators, it was easier to use artifacts or hire dreamers with electrical powers to do it. They powered the fluorescent lights of the ceiling. They weren't pleasing to the eye, making Elyas wake up early.
He looked around as he wiped the sleep off of his eyes. All he saw were crude wooden furniture and vases filled with dead flowers.
There was no nurse to direct his questions at. All he remembered was how the test went and Julius's last words.
Elyas swung his arms experimentally, wincing at the twinge in his shoulder, then flexed his legs, testing how his body responded. Despite the ache, he felt an unfamiliar surge of energy coursing through him.
His face and shoulders had completely healed, not even leaving a scar. His skinny frame had shrunk even more, as if he hadn't eaten in days.
"Damn I'm hungry…" he said, Elyas couldn't help but sneer at his circumstances.
"How many times has it been? Two? First In front of Noah and now Julius… Am I bound to act like a damsel in distress in front of stoic people?"
Thinking about how many times he fainted made him chuckle out loud. But then he remembered something.
'That kid Cid…Thers something his hiding. First his caution near me and now his speed… He is probably a dreamer. I don't have a good feeling about this.'
Elyas, despite not having the same knowledge as teacher Julius, came to the same conclusion:
Cid was a dreamer for some time, and has been hiding it.
Julius had suspicions of the child being part of a syndicate, thiefs, a backstreet rat or even part of the heartbreakers. Meanwhile Elyas, unaware of the existence of such groups, had suspected personal reasons.
'Maybe the kid just wants to keep his neck. After all, the easiest way to kill a dreamer is to get to them before they even understand their powers.'
Elyas was not as knowledgeable as the teachers of the D.E.B, but he had lived in the apocalypse
for some time. Even if just a few months, he knew that there are a lot of people who target weak dreamers. After all, the artifacts have to get their powers from somewhere.
'...The more I think about it, the more I lean toward this being the case. If it wasn't that and he was a criminal then why risk exposing yourself in front of the whole class and your mentor?'
'Maybe he's just young and arrogant. Regardless of his motivations… I owe the kid an apology and thanks.'
As Elyas was pondering on how to repay the Child, someone entered through the door out of his view.
Light tapping of several shoes was heard before silhouettes became visible, walking towards him.
A hand brushed the blue curtains aside, two familiar faces stood in front of him.
Noah, with his dark hair and matching attire, tried to keep his cool next to the giant trainer Julius standing beside him.
But as he saw Elyas without a scratch, he couldn't keep his feelings hidden. "Elyas you're fine!" Noah said in excitement, rushing over to examine him properly.
"Hahaha. What did you expect from my wife cap? she's the best healer—"
"Best healer this shithole of a city has. Yes we know, no need to boast about it every chance you get." Noah interrupted, finishing his sentence for him.
"Cap?" Elyas asked the trainer, Julius looked at him and Noah for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"hahahah…Uhhh" He wiped away tears before he added, "Don't tell me you were too embarrassed and didn't tell your new friend?" he asked Noah with a teasing tone. laughing and giggling the whole way through.
Noah turned red as he answered. It was hard to tell the cause from anger or embarrassment.
"What was I supposed to say?! Hi! my name is Noah, the former captain of the protocol of mistwood city?!"
Elyas sat silent as he watched the two men fight and mock each other like children. He was sure some of his classmates looked more like adults.
'...It hasn't been three minutes since I created the image of stoic, imposing figures for you two…'
Sounds of footsteps entered the room. Coming closer before someone came into view. Julius and Noah were too busy bickering to notice her.
The lady had delicate skin. But that was where her femininity ended. In front of Elyas was a woman almost as tall as the giant standing beside her.
Unlike him, she had a much lighter skin complexion. Yet, she couldn't, and didn't hide her light tan. It was more prominent matched with her white, golden robe. She was nearly as meaty as the trainer. Her robe hugged her tightly, showing her inhuman physic.
"Good to see you're still kicking." She said as she shot a glance towards Elyas. Although it wasn't the best way to phrase it, her gentle and motherly voice made her choice of words comforting none the less.
The lady, noticing his stupified expression aimed at the two men, stopped them with a few words.
"We aren't kids anymore. Stop acting like them."
Her gentle yet stern look and tone pierced the air, making the men stop arguing.
She looked at Elyas and said with her usual tone. Smiling.
"My name is Angelica. I'm the head of the nursing group of the protection protocol… you've already seen my husband Julius, although a bit paranoid, he's a good hearted man."
Angelica introduced, giving a briefing on the situation. "I overheard your conversation, your friend Noah was the former captain of the protectors. That's all. Also you're free to go now…Make sure to eat a few days worth of food and water, healing magic has its downsides. Also expect a bit of pain and don't put your body under pressure, give it time to fully heal."
"Before I forget, I need to check a few things before letting you go, do you mind?" She gave Elyas the formalities.
After seeing him agree, she asked, "Do you feel any pain in your abdomen, arms, shoulders or head?"
Elyas shook his head, and with that and a few physical tests, she left the room. Angelica closed the door while shaking her head as she glanced at her husband.
Noah and Julius looked at each other and then at Elyas. Before speaking at the same time.
"wanna get something to eat?"
Elyas stared, dumbfounded at their question.
"…"
"I think I'll eat later."
"suit yourself."
"you do you."
They said as Noah nodded at Julius.
"Hey Elyas." Julius said with some hesitation before adding "... It seems my suspicions on you were… Wrong. The man hesitated before speaking that last part. But his sincerity was obvious.
"No problem. You only tried to protect your students. I would have done the same if I were in your place." Elyas added before some deliberation, "...Why do you suddenly believe me?"
Noah answered instead:
"Oh he doesn't. He probably doesn't believe a word you'd say right now… But he told me about what happened today when we accidentally met. After realising that I was your affiliate in the protocol, his suspicions of you being a spy or a heartbreaker shattered." He added,"That's why I'm here."
"So that's how it is…Mr Julius, can I ask you a question?"
"Yes, go on."
"What happened—No, where is Cid right now?"
Julius turned from friendly or inviting, to his usual stern serious self.
"His being investigated by a few protectors and enforcers down in the fourth floor. Why?"
Elyas paused before asking, "I owe him an apology."
"...I understand, but you can't see him before the protocol is done investigating…If he's clean, you'll get your apology."
"The kid just hid his powers and the fact that he was a dreamer. Isn't that what we all do to some extent?"
Noah interjected, "it's more than that. It's the fate of the city—"
Elyas jumped in, not letting Noah finish,"But his just a child what can he do—"
Noah did the same, "He could have turned into a nightmare…We can't risk something as powerful as that being inside the city walls"
He paused as he looked at Elyas before saying: "I forgot you didn't know… But that's how Vernis fell"
Elyas and Noah, who knew of his situation, fell silent. It stayed like that before Elyas spoke.
"…What exactly happened to the city of fog?"